Critic Reviews
| 85 |
GamerWeb Sony
The storyline is engaging, and commanding an elephant to tromp through units and trample people is pretty hard to beat.
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| 84 |
IGN
Builds on its predecessor by bringing the player even closer to the action.
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| 84 |
TotalGames.net
Unlike the original Kessen, KII is far more accessible and the fantasy element gives the whole show a far more epic feel in the style of TV’s Mahabarat (okay, it’s a Hindu show, but you get the idea).
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| 80 |
Game Informer
When it came down to it, I began to wonder if all the info and options available to me made a difference in the outcome of the battles at all. Definitely play Kessen II to blow up guys with meteor showers; just don't expect to do everything with your new abilities.
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| 80 |
PSX Nation
About as visually-appealing, user-friendly, fun and deep as Koei can make a strategy simulation without watering-down the formula completely, which makes it ideal for newcomers to the genre or the "Kessen" universe.
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| 78 |
GameSpy
More about style than substance. Nevertheless, the style excels, and there's still enough substance to give strategy gamers something worthwhile.
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| 77 |
GameSpot
A game that is visually striking, with massive spell effects and a histrionic storyline, but one that may not appeal to fans of realistic war simulations.
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| 70 |
Hot Games
If DW3 was the video game equivalent of "Braveheart," then Kessen II is Kuroswawa's "Ran" -- just a little more meat in your dish.
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| 70 |
Electronic Gaming Monthly
The gameplay is ironclad; however, a few presentation problems hold the title back. [Dec 2001, p.250]
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| 60 |
Yahoo! Games
If you’re a serious strategy aficionado who expects more than to be seduced by lush eye candy, you’ll lament the restricted control system and the over-emphasis on storyline at the expense of intricate gameplay.
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| 60 |
G4 TV
The controls are too simple to make you want to play the game for very long.
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| 60 |
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Inconsistent voice acting and poor plot development. [Dec 2001, p.168]
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| 60 |
GamePro
The difference between the sheer energy in the cinemas and the painstaking gameplay is so striking that it feels like you’re fighting battles less to win them than to see the next visual treat.
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| 58 |
Core Magazine
If you are looking for a historical strategy sim you will be disappointed with Kessen's superficial treatment of military planning. But if you are seeking eye candy and a trite but entertaining story you'll likely be thrilled with this title.
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| 54 |
GameShark
Despite its initial luster, it becomes tedious rather quickly.
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